2016 Sherry Kohlenberg Award Winner

Massey Cancer Center_Todd Adams_MD

(Richmond, VA) – Dr. Todd Adams, Radiation Oncologist with VCU Health at Stony Point in Richmond, VA, is the recipient of the 2016 Sherry Kohlenberg Healthcare Service Award from the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation (VBCF). VBCF created this award to recognize Virginians employed in the healthcare field who “exhibit a deep and abiding commitment to the fight against breast cancer” and to honor Sherry, a healthcare administrator and co-founder of the VBCF, who died from breast cancer in 1993.

Here is an excerpt of his nomination by one of his patients:

“Dr. Adams continuously demonstrates a deep respect, devotion, and passion for his patients. When I came to Dr. Adams, I was jaded in my mid-diagnosis for nearly one year. I was scared and experienced feelings of hopelessness. Dr. Adams would spend hours sitting and discussing my diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan. There was never a time when he dismissed my fears or questions. His unwavering care and gentle nature made cancer tolerable and made me feel heard and validated. Dr. Adams demonstrates a commitment to the fight against breast cancer by giving his patient’s hope at a time when it is so hard to find. Dr. Adams did not have to provide a personal phone call each time I sent him an email with concerns, but he did. He not only validated my concerns, questions, and uncertainty; but he took care to let me know that my life mattered. I could not have made it through my cancer treatment without him. He far exceeded his role for me and for other patients. He is not just a physician, he is an amazing human being who treats patients and not just their illness. This man is paving the way for holistic and individualized care.”

Dr. Adams honors Sherry’s memory in going above and beyond what is normally expected of a competent, caring professional working with Virginians affected by breast cancer. Given in the past to a wide range of healthcare providers – from surgeons to nurses to social workers, previous recipients from the Richmond area include but are not limited to Harry Bear, MD and Tom Smith, MD (1995); Ellen Shaw de Paredes, MD (2001); Mary Helen Hackney, MD (2005); the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Breast Cancer Genetics Team (2006); and George Knaysi, MD (2009).